Tributes paid to Yorkshire entrepreneur John Jackson
WELL known Yorkshire businessman John Jackson, who built up suit maker Centaur, has died aged 79.
Mr Jackson, a former High Sheriff of West Yorkshire who was awarded the CBE in 2002 for services to the clothing industry and the city of Leeds, was a popular entrepreneur, philanthropist and civic figure in his home city for more than half a century.
His brother, Richard Jackson MBE, the former owner of Nidd Vale Motors, said: “John was a wonderful brother to me, and being quite a bit older was like a father figure. I went straight into business with him after university and he made me what I am.”
John David Jackson was born in Leeds on December 7, 1933 and after boarding school at Oundle was accepted at Oxbridge but opted to go to McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
After graduating with a bachelor of commerce degree, he stayed in Canada and qualified as a chartered accountant with Price Waterhouse.
He returned to Leeds in 1959 and joined the small family business Centaur Clothes which he grew and moved into a factory in Great George Street.
In 1977 Centaur opened its own shops and menswear concessions in department stores.
In the mid-1980s the business acquired the last three remaining Burton factories in Goole, Guisborough and Hartlepool and it was sold to Wm Baird in 1989 with Mr Jackson joining the main Baird board a year later, remaining on there for seven years.
Mr Jackson was president of both the Leeds Junior Chamber of Commerce and Leeds Chamber of Commerce and vice chairman of the Leeds Development Corporation, which with its own planning powers, was instrumental in transforming the city into a vibrant commercial and financial centre, including securing the move of the Royal Armouries from London to Leeds.
He was always an outspoken ambassador for the clothing industry and was chairman of the Yorkshire region of the British Clothing Industry Federation and vice chair of its national organisation.
Mr Jackson passed away peacefully on Sunday. He leaves wife Hilary, daughters Johanna, Julie, Jenny and Janie and his grandchildren.
Mr Jackson’s funeral has already taken place. His brother Richard said the family were planning a party in celebration of his life on Sunday, July 7.
Richard Jackson said: “He was perhaps the ultimate public spirited citizen – a successful entrepreneur, businessman and achiever, an outstanding philanthropist and a dedicated and committed family man who greatly influenced the lives of countless other people.”
